Synonyms of pestering

pestering 1 of 3

noun

as in harassment

the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another

the endless pestering finally drove me to study at the library

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harassment
• bothering
• bugging
• teasing
• disturbance
• annoyance
• harrying
• aggravation
• torture
• importunity
• vexation
• bedevilment
• torment
• persecution
• botheration
• molestation
• provocation
• offense
• aggro
• mischief
• devilment
• devilry

pestering

2 of 3

adjective

as in teasing

Related Words

• teasing
• naughty
• riling
• troublemaking
• crafty
• wily
• misbehaving
• cunning
• tricky
• spirited
• lively
• artful
• sprightly
• trickish
• energetic
• whimsical
• playful
• lighthearted
• kittenish
• coy
• prankish
• puckish
• rascally
• frisky
• impish
• coltish
• sportive
• roguish
• antic
• mischievous
• knavish
• happy
• pixie
• gay
• waggish
• frolicsome
• devilish
• elvish
• sportful
• tricksy
• sly
• leprechaunish
• wicked
• pixieish
• scampish
• espiègle
• arch

Dissimilar Words

• grave
• stern
• solemn
• grim
• sober
• sedate
• staid

pestering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of pester

as in bothering

to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation

one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bothering
• bugging
• worrying
• annoying
• harassing
• disturbing
• tormenting
• irritating
• intruding (upon)
• chivying
• provoking
• hassling
• troubling
• angering
• aggravating
• bedeviling
• dogging
• inconveniencing
• fretting
• exasperating
• persecuting
• plaguing
• gnawing
• riling
• invading
• distressing
• vexing
• besieging
• antagonizing
• rankling
• getting
• besetting
• afflicting
• galling
• chafing
• piquing
• roiling
• dunning
• irking
• nettling
• infuriating
• grating
• agitating
• beleaguering
• inflaming
• perturbing
• maddening
• rasping
• encroaching
• enraging
• deviling
• putting out
• peeving
• outraging
• trespassing
• incensing
• obtruding
• infringing
• cutting in (on)
• butting in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• leaving
• disregarding
• forgetting
• obliging
• slighting
• appeasing
• placating
• disarming
• conciliating
• gratifying
• pleasing
• delighting
• satisfying
• mollifying
• consoling
• comforting
• contenting
• gladdening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pestering

Noun

There were almost no visible signs of this pestering affliction, which interfered with the rabbi’s sleep and therefore with his mental competence and his negotiation of daytime duties and professional matters. — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

Verb

In the clip shared on social media, the bird appears poised to go after a second player before veering off at the last moment, then continues pestering several others on the field until the referee is forced to pause the game. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Bonner brought the bull market with him to CSUF, bringing his pressing, pestering and passionate style of play to a fanbase starved for success. — Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 2026

The character, Günter Van Ellis (Ivan Sherry), is seen pestering Oh Father (Daveed Diggs) and Homelander at the White House. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026

Fudd played some solid defense early with a quick steal and spent some time pestering Clark. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2026

The pal had a place in the beach town for quite some time and had long been pestering the former TAP Air pilot to stop by and see the area’s unparallelled beauty and tranquility for himself. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 1 May 2026

Tiny eye-biting flies are swarming all over the San Gabriel Valley and pestering residents. — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

In a game where the Stars smashed the Oilers, Hryckowian was pestering Edmonton players all night en route to drawing four penalties. — R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026

But this is now a 20-game stint of pestering Knicks defense — with no example better than during Sunday’s 25-point takedown of the San Antonio Spurs. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026